UE PDCCH Monitoring Control for Lower Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current signaling reduction efforts in wireless devices focus primarily on message transmissions but overlook the significant energy consumption associated with Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring, which is a major contributor to UE power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device provides an indication to a network node to prioritize energy consumption reduction over other network requirements, such as latency and scheduling flexibility, and performs power-saving actions like reducing PDCCH monitoring and on-time, while the network node configures the device to assist in these efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If PDCCH monitoring is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network responsiveness and latency performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic PDCCH monitoring adjustment where the UE can switch between different monitoring configurations based on traffic conditions and energy state. The network configures multiple PDCCH monitoring parameters including different monitoring occasions, search spaces, and aggregation levels, allowing the UE to dynamically select appropriate monitoring intensity to balance energy saving and latency requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces periodic monitoring patterns where the UE monitors PDCCH at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. By configuring periodic monitoring occasions and associating them with different traffic types (e.g., delay-tolerant vs. delay-sensitive), the system reduces overall monitoring frequency while ensuring timely detection of time-critical communications.
2Use of energy by moving object
If PDCCH monitoring is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network scheduling flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments PDCCH monitoring into multiple independent configurations, each optimized for specific traffic types or service requirements. The network can configure separate monitoring parameters for different logical channels or QoS flows, allowing selective relaxation of monitoring for non-critical traffic while maintaining strict monitoring for time-sensitive services, thus preserving overall scheduling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal PDCCH monitoring framework that serves multiple functions through a single configurable structure. The same PDCCH monitoring mechanism handles both energy-saving operations and latency-sensitive operations by varying configuration parameters, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems and maintaining scheduling versatility across different service types.
3Device complexity
If UE bandwidth is reduced to lower complexity and energy consumption, then device complexity and energy consumption are reduced, but data rate capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bandwidth parameter dynamically based on service requirements. The network can configure the UE to operate with reduced bandwidth (e.g., narrowband operation) for delay-tolerant traffic to reduce complexity and power consumption, while enabling full bandwidth operation when high data rates are required. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by making bandwidth a variable rather than a fixed constraint.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed herein for reducing energy consumption in a wireless device. A wireless device (e.g., a user equipment) can provide an indication to a network node (e.g., a base station) to indicate that the wireless device will prioritize energy consumption reduction over some network requirements (e.g., latency and/or scheduling flexibility requirements). Accordingly, the wireless device can perform certain power-saving actions to reduce energy consumption. The network node, upon receiving the indication from the wireless device, can perform certain network-related actions to assist the wireless device in reducing energy consumption. As a result, it is possible for the wireless device to reduce energy consumption and complexity, thus helping to prolong battery life in the wireless device.